'Nuansa Zapin 4.0' Brings Together 24 Types Of Johor Zapin Dance

By Norhidayyu Zainal

KUALA LUMPUR, Feb 21 (Bernama) -- ‘Nuansa Zapin 4.0’ broke new ground by presenting 24 distinct Johor zapin variants, each officially authenticated by its custodian, showcasing the remarkable diversity of this traditional dance form.

Organised by Nyala Dance Theatre, ‘Nuansa Zapin 4.0’ was staged at the Malaysia Tourism Centre (MaTiC) here recently. Artistic director and choreographer Khairul Azhar Mohtar said the wide range of zapin styles often goes unnoticed, despite the dance being one of the most prominent in the Malay performing arts tradition.

All 24 Johor zapin variants, verified by the Nusantara Performing Arts Research Centre (NusPARC), were presented through a series of 13 songs.

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“Although they are all called zapin, each carries its own distinct style and that is what we wanted to highlight,” he told Bernama after the performance.

Among the dances featured were Zapin Lapis Batu Putih, Zapin Pulau Tioman, Zapin Pulau Aur, Zapin Putar Lam, Zapin Padang Sari, Zapin Parit Sakai, Zapin Ginjat, Zapin Mahpom and Zapin Seri Bunian, each having its own style of movement.

The production, which involved 50 dancers, also reflected the inclusive spirit of zapin, with the performers coming from different age groups, including women in their 40s and 50s. 

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Khairul Azhar hoped that ‘Nuansa Zapin’ would become an annual event and expand on a larger scale, ensuring the dance form remains recognised and appreciated by future generations.

He added that elevating zapin to the professional stage was essential to demonstrate its continued relevance as a heritage art form to wider audiences.

Meanwhile, NusPARC executive director Prof Dr Mohd Anis Md Nor described the production as a significant initiative that brings together artistes and academics to ensure factual accuracy and safeguard the continuity of zapin heritage.

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“This production is also about understanding the meaning and heritage values of zapin, while creating opportunities for direct knowledge-sharing between artistes and researchers,” he said.

Mohd Anis, who has conducted research on Johor zapin for more than four decades, said in addition to the 24 verified variants endorsed by lineage families, six other types have been identified but remain unconfirmed due to the absence of living custodians.

“The authentication process began around 2021 after the COVID-19 pandemic, involving extensive fieldwork as each zapin variant had to be validated through family lineage to ensure the authenticity of the heritage,” he explained.

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He added that the research findings are currently being documented in a forthcoming book on Johor zapin, expected to be launched at the end of this year.

Mohd Anis added that efforts are underway to nominate zapin for inclusion on UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage list through collaboration between Malaysia and Indonesia, with the Malaysian process led by Yayasan Warisan Johor.

Meanwhile, Norhazian Mat Sapiam, 62, from Bangi, Selangor, who was among the audience who watched ‘Nuansa Zapin 4.0’, said she has long admired traditional dances such as zapin, asli, inang and joget, and attended the performance in support of initiatives to elevate heritage arts.

“Today, many children are enrolling in basic dance classes, and parents are increasingly aware of the need to preserve our culture so that it continues to be valued and remain relevant,” she said.

-- BERNAMA